Winifred Haun & Dancers announces 2024-25 Season

Winifred Haun & Dancers announces 2024-25 Season

Winifred Haun & Dancers’ 2024-25 Season will include the premiere of Absent Moon in October, a featured performance at Chicago Live! in September, the return of First Draft: new works by Chicago area dancemakers in March, and the second annual Persistent Spring in May.

On Friday, October 18, the Company will present the premiere of Absent Moon at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago. Absent Moon is an innovative group work for 8 dancers choreographed by award winning Artistic Director Winifred Haun. The work is performed on two large benches, and features music by Michael Wall, Jana Wideren, and others.

The Absent Moon premiere will also include five other works on the program: audience favorite “Bento,” “The Fight To Be Found” a moving, athletic work created by Imani English, “When the Rain Speaks” by WH&D Assistant Artistic Director Julia Schaeffer, “On My Body,” a solo choreographed by Darryl Clark reinterpreted for Company Assistant Choreographer Vernon Gooden, and Ms. Haun’s work from 2016 “Your nearest exit may be behind you.” There will be a pre-show VIP event at the Studebaker Theater’s beautiful, new 2nd floor balcony reception space. The VIP event includes complimentary wine and snacks, priority seating, and a special gift.

The Company will make its Chicago Live! debut on Sunday, September 22 at 1:30pm on the Navy Pier East End Stage. There will be three works presented: “Bento,” The Fight to Be Found,” and “When the Rain Speaks.”

Winifred Haun & Dancers will present the 3rd annual FIRST DRAFT: New Work by Chicago area dancemakers from March 7 to 9, 2025 at Links Hall. FIRST DRAFT 2025 will be a showcase of 12 new works by 12 Chicago area choreographers. The purpose of FIRST DRAFT is to give local choreographers and dancers the opportunity to see and present their latest works in a professionally produced context. The public presentation of a nearly completed dance work is an essential step for dancemakers as they develop high quality, new work.

On May 17, 2025, the Company will present the 2nd annual Persistent Spring, in collaboration with the Chicago Movement Collective (CMC), at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Persistent Spring showcases the pre-professional/early career dance artists from WH&D and CMC’s educational programs. Artists from WH&D’s 3rd Coast Contemporary Dance program, now in its 2nd year, and CMC’s Claire Bataille Legacy Scholarship will present new works choreographed by Chicago area dancemakers.

Winifred Haun & Dancers is an artist led dance organization that focuses on the creation of original, innovative dance works, both in, for, and about local, national and international communities. For the 2024-25 Season, the Company continues its mission to provide dance events that illuminate and elevate diverse artists, audiences, and global themes. Now in its 27th Season, this small, but dynamic dance organization is expanding its programming and community support through relevant and timely projects.

More info about the Company and its community partners can be found at www.WinifredHaun.org

Winifred Haun & Dancers 2024-25 Season, Image credit Winifred Haun & Dancers